Nearby: Waterfest Returns in June

Sign up for the Cartersville Patch newsletter!

-----

The Coosa River Basin Initiative will celebrate its 15th annual WATERFEST with a new location and format for the annual paddlesports extravaganza.

WATERFEST XV, which is set for June 5-6, will include a 6-mile canoe, kayak and paddleboard race on the Etowah River, a 1.5-mile raft race on the Oostanaula River and canoe and kayak tug-o-wars at Heritage Park in downtown Rome.

More than $3,000 in prizes will be up for grabs at the event as paddlers compete for awards in the races, tug-o-wars and CRBI’s annual Canoe-a-thon.

In the Canoe-a-thon, CRBI supporters will raise money from friends, family and business associates with the top fundraisers earning prizes including a new Old Town canoe from Johnson Outdoors and a new kayak from Cedar Creek Park & Outdoor Center.

In the youth division, students 16 and under will compete to win a special youth kayak. In the Etowah River Race, prizes will be awarded to the fastest finishers in multiple divisions and to participants with the best decorated boat and best race costumes.

Participants can also try their luck in CRBI’s River Poker Run during the Race by picking up five playing cards in route to the finish line. The paddler with the best poker hand at the finish will win a cash prize.

While paddlers are racing down the Etowah, participants in the Blue Sky Outfitter Recycled Raft Race will make their way down the Oostanaula River from Ridge Ferry Park.

Teams are encouraged to create their own rafts using primarily recycled materials. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest finisher and in the following categories: Most Original, Best Engineered, and Most Enthusiastic Crew.

The event will culminate with the Canoe Tug-O-War contests in the Cedar Creek Park & Outdoor Center Tug-O-War Pool, a giant portable pool that will be erected at Heritage Park and the finish line for the races.

In these contests, two canoes will be tied end-to-end and co-ed teams will attempt to paddle-pull their opponent across the pool. The tug-o-war tournament champions will ntake home $200 cash and gift certificates to local restaurants.

Kayak Tug-O-Wars and canoe and kayak demo rides in the Cedar Creek Park Pool will kick off the weekend of activities Friday, June 5, beginning at 5 p.m.

Registration for four-person Canoe Tug-O-War teams is $80; registration for the Etowah River Race is $40 for solo paddlers and $50 for tandem teams. Recycled Raft Race registration is $35 per team. All registrations include a year’s membership in CRBI and event t-shirts.

Participants can register at www.coosa.org/events/waterfest. Those wishing to compete in the Canoe-a-thon can set up an online fundraising page at www.firstgiving.com/coosa or call CRBI at 706-232-2724 for more information.

WATERFEST is sponsored by Cedar Creek RV and Outdoor Center, Johnson Outdoors, Blue Sky Outfitters, WLAQ - The Ridge 95.7, WSB-TV Family 2 Family, Harbin Clinic, Walker Orthotics & Prosthetics, Soymet 101, Marglen Industries, Mohawk Industries, International Paper, SCANA Energy, Burgess Insurance Services, and Terra Renewal.

CRBI is a 501c3 non profit organization and member of the International Waterkeeper Alliance. Its mission is to inform and empower citizens to protect, preserve and restore North America’s most biologically diverse river basin.

For more information, contact Shira Kerce at 706-232-2724 or skerce@coosa.org.

-----

Photo credits: Coosa River Basin Initiative